Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-09-23

beg pafuOn, ma am, nc sIhnllueIctl
"but You see "A man gets so awfully rough
in the West, ma am. We hadn't any towels
on the ranch. Thank you, ma am I'll use
them in future. I'm very anxious to learn
The drawing room was henceforth enter
tanned with the pantry episodes, of which
this was the beginning
In the main, however, Parkins gave salts
faction He was diligent, almost chivalrous
in his attention to the wants Of the ladies.
The defects in his education as a butler
were soon remedied, for Mrs, Madison was
an excellent housekeeper and was willing
to take untold trouble to instruct any one
who was teachable
The fresh, handsome face of Parkins, his
respectful and manly bearing, and his
charming English accent, which was evi-
IDENTIFY not that of a cockney, ingratated
him with his employers, and even their ac-
quaintance
Occasionally a new book or paper was
missing from the sitting room, and more
than once it was found in the pantry
among the cloths and plate powder. In
one case the missing volume was one of
Lecky's, and Miss Arden, who had searched
in vain, asked Parkins il he had seen
it. He confessed to having borrowed it
and when Sylvia looked at him with obvi-
Gus surprise, he made some confused re-
mark about 'bettering his education"
IF he can appreciate that book" said
Miss Arden afterwards to her sister, "his
education doesn't need much bettering."
One evening, when John Parkins had
been with the Madisons for a month or
more, some newly arrived English people
dined at the house.
| From the moment when the party sat
down at the table, Parkins began to behave
strangely. He became absent minded and
inattentive. His strongest desire appeared
to be to get out Of the room as quickly as
possible.
Mr. Madison was ANNOYED, and thought
for a moment that his butler might be un-
der the influence of liquor but after he
had watched him for minute or two he
was convinced that the man was perfectly
sober, though evidently laboring under
great mental perturbation.
But as one cannot watch ones butler all
the evening, Mr. Madisons attention was
soon diverted, and the circumstance passed
| from his mind.
One day in the early spring letter came
for George Madison from the British lega-
tion in Washington.
1t requested information in regard to the
whereabouts of Cecil Finch an English
gentleman who was supposed to be in the
United States at that time. Mr. Madison
replied with polite brevity that he had new
err had the pleasure of knowing any one of
that name. There he thought the matter
would rest. But by return of post came
another letter, which intimated that the le-
| cation could not take Mr. Madisons reply
as final, for Cecil Finch had been seen go
/ ing in and out of Mr.. Madson's house in
| New York
| Mr.. Madison was by this time rather Gu
| rious, and not little indignant. He was
not accustomed to having his word doubted.
| He therefore wrote back somewhat
| sharply TO the effect that the only English
man who came and went in his household
| in the manner described was his butler,
John Parkins.
Upon my word he said that night at
| dinner, to his wife and sister Flaw, Il am
tired of Cecil Finch without even having
seen him. The dogged pertinacity Of the
| English diplomats does them credit"
/ Parkins, who was handling a dish of
sweets at the moment, started so violently
that the dish almost dropped from his fin
| gers.
This did not escape Mr.. Madison, but he
said nothing. Afterwards, however, he re
marked TO his wife IF am not mistaken,
Parkins knows something about Cecil
| Finch"
In day or two a third letter bearing the
| Washington postmark arrived for Mr.. Mad
ison. 1t said Strange as it may appear,
we should be glad if you would interrogate
the man whom you call John Parkins as to
the whereabouts of Mr.. Finch. Tell him
that your reason for asking is that Cecil
Finch has come into title and fortune by
the unexpected death of his uncle"
Mr.. Madison was now thoroughly excited.
What if his butler were the new lord in
masquerade He laughed to himself as he
pictured the faces of his wife and sister
when they should hear the news
1t so happened that this last letter from
the legation had been sent to Mr.. Madison's
house, and it was there that he read it. His
wife was out with Sylvia.
His decision was quickly formed He
touched the bell. Parkins appeared, calm
and correct as he was in his best moments
when there was nothing to disconcert him
"Parkins, said his master, did you ev-
er happen to hear of an English gentleman
called Cecil Finch p
Yes, sir, said the butler. II think
heard you mention his name, sir, at dinner
a night or two ago"
Have you ever seen him y
Yes, sir, in Wyoming, sir"
1t would be good thing for him, Par
kins." said Mr.. Madison carelessly, ''if you
could find him."
How so, sir y asked the young man,
changing color little
"He has just come into his uncle's title
and estate and he can't be found"
by Jove Is Lord Grimsmead dead y
cried the butler in n voice very different
from his usual guarded one.
Before he had time to pull himself to-
gether and apologize, Mr., Madison pounced
upon him.
Look here Mr.. Finch !" he said, quite
sternly, ''you are no butler Your name
isn't Parkins Why did you lie to me -
''No, Mr. Madison" said the man. 81
am not "a butler, and my name isn't Par
kins, and lie is not a word to use among
gentlemen !"
but hang it, ns-Finch--whateve
you are, can't realize quite yet that you
are not what l thought you five minutes
ago, And l think l have a perfect right
to know why you have imposed ON me this
way" said Mr.. Madison, still irate
"Of course you have" said Mr. Finch,
late John Parkins The story is simply
this, l was pretty well down on my luck,
after having tried ranching and failed, as
many a cleverer man than ! am has done
before. | was too proud to go home. There
was no one of whom | could borrow, and |
hadn't penny. l saw your advertisement
in the paper and applied for the situation.
! hadn't an idea that you'd take me, but
was touched by your confidence, Mr.. Madi-
son, and I've done the very best l could for
you. l remembered the old butler at home,
and tried to model myself on him.
The other night you thought, no doubt,
that was drunk. | wasn't but the man
who sat next to Mrs. Madison was fellow
who knew me well at Oxford ten years ago. )"
Both men had been standing while they
talked. Madison read candor and integrity
in the handsome face of the other.
'Sit down, Mr., Finch,' he said, ''and
tell me the rest"
Il would rather stand, thank you,n said
Finch. How do you know that I'm tell
ing you the truth Is my Oxford friend
in town yet 2"
II believe So" said Mr.. Madison.
"Will you go there with me and get me
identified y asked Finch. Then he added,
smiling little, 81 believe I've got one
pretty decent coat"
About six o'clock the ladies came home
The parlor was full of spring twilight.
"Why are no lamps lighted :" asked Mrs
Madison. Where's Parkins | never
knew him 10 be so careless
She rang the bell sharply. 1t was an
swered by her maid,
"Where is Parkins - Mrs. Madison de
manded.
, "Gone out, ma am, with Mr.. Madison, 4"
said the maid, demurely,
! with Mr.. Madison How extraordina-
ry% .,
the maid rather enjoying Mrs. Madisons
surprise.
Sylvia then entered.
''rhe table isn't set, and can't find Par
kins anywhere" she said
a.. (. l.. o.. Ill. 81,